You probably already know how important it is to keep your pet’s nails at a healthy length, but you may still avoid dog nail trimming out of fear of doing it wrong and hurting your furry friend. While it is wise to be cautious when it comes to trimming your dog’s nails, this shouldn’t prevent you from performing this important job.
Fortunately, it’s not difficult to learn how to trim your dog’s nails safely. Here is what you need to know about maintaining your pet’s nails.
The Importance of Trimming Your Dog’s Nails
There are more than a few great reasons why you should learn how to trim your dog’s nails regularly, including:
It Helps With Traction
Overgrown nails can make it awkward for your dog to walk. This altered foot placement can result in a loss of traction and a lot of discomfort.
It Prevents Injury
Not only does altered foot placement due to overgrown nails reduce traction for your dog, but it can also place unnecessary stress on their feet, legs, and more. This can lead to both short- and long-term pain, ranging from sore muscles and achy feet to the development of arthritis.
Long nails can also eventually dig into your dog’s skin or snag on surfaces or objects, causing cuts, sores, wounds, and potential infection.
It Protects Your Home
Those overgrown nails can also do some significant damage to hardwood floors, furniture, and other parts of your home. When you trim your dog’s nails, you protect both the health of your pet and the health of your home.
4 Key Tips for Properly Trimming Dog Nails
Trimming your dog’s nails is fairly straightforward with the right tools and techniques. The best way to trim dog nails typically involves using these four key tricks:
1. Ease Your Dog Into the Idea
You don’t want to move too quickly with getting started on the trimming process, or your dog might create a negative association with it that will be difficult to break.
Start out by introducing them to your trimming tool and rewarding them with treats throughout the process. Let them smell the tool first, and allow them to feel it on their paws and hear the sound without any actual clipping being done. Then, gently clip the end of just one paw. Gradually introduce the other paws.
This should be done over the course of several days if you really want to avoid a nervous reaction from your pup.
2. Avoid Cutting the Quick
One of the most important dog nail trimming tips from groomers is to avoid cutting the quick. The quick is the area of the nail that contains blood vessels, and cutting into it can not only hurt your dog but also cause infection.
Knowing this, it can feel pretty nerve-racking to try trimming your dog’s nails for the first time. But if you start slow and remain cautious, you shouldn’t have a problem at all. Trim just the very ends of one or two nails at first, and then carry on from there.
3. Use the Correct Tools for Trimming Dog Nails
There are some useful devices designed to make the nail-trimming process easier and safer. You’ll need nail clippers, of course, but some types may be more comfortable for you than others, so make sure to consider your needs before purchasing any.
You can also go for an electronic nail grinder, which can help you safely and accurately file your pup’s nails down to a rounded edge.
If your pup is the type to squirm about and resist their grooming, you can also try a dog hammock for nail trimming. A dog sling for nail trimming can help restrain your dog safely and comfortably while you get their nails down to a healthy length.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Call the Groomer
It can be convenient to do this task on your own, and it can help you save on dog nail trimming costs and other grooming expenses. But if you’re not comfortable with it, then there’s nothing wrong with going to the groomer.
These pet professionals know how to trim anxious dogs’ nails and are already equipped with the tools and training to do the job safely.
Don’t Ignore Your Dog’s Nails
Dog nail trimming may feel intimidating, but it’s crucial for you to keep your dog’s nails at a healthy length. Whether you take on trimming your dog’s nails on your own or opt for a groomer’s help, both you and your four-legged friend can enjoy the benefits that properly maintained nails can bring.
